Extension Cord for welder

[Garybake]

If you plan a workshop in the future you are going to be faced with buying the proper in wall wire again someday. Buy correct gauge(6) now and so what if it is a little stiff it is temporary. If you have to buy twice you may never do it.
Just my opinion what I would do.:thumbsup:

 

[Sublifer]

If you plan a workshop in the future you are going to be faced with buying the proper in wall wire again someday. Buy correct gauge(6) now and so what if it is a little stiff it is temporary. If you have to buy twice you may never do it.
Just my opinion what I would do.:thumbsup:

I like your thinking but I'm still probably going to want the extension cord.

I went by Lowes and Home Depot last night. Neither had SO cable bigger than 10 gauge. I have really started hating those hardware stores lately... So I'll talk to some electricians at work on Monday and get them to tell me the best place to buy the SO cable locally.

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

 

[jake98]

I used that Skystar link (post #7) a couple months ago for my 8-3 cord, it was shipped prompt and I couldn't find it cheaper..

 

[Train]

Don't know if it helps you but my Millermatic 250 has a 50' #8 cord. It's not an extension, it's wired right into the machine. Hasn't been an issue in 15 years.

 

[dynasim]

I would urge you to look at the welder's manual. When I investigated what cord to use for my hobart handler 187, everyone online said it needed an 8 or 10 gauge cord. The manual said 14 gauge for anything less than 50 ft.

I bought a high quality 50 ft 12 gauge 120 volt cord(~30$), cut off the ends, and replaced them with appropriate 220 volt ends. I have never had a problem.

The extension cord is not protected by the household fuse, but by the welder current limitation. Welders have supply size rules that are different than other sorts of electrical devices because of the inrush currents.

Anyway, I don't know what the answer is, but the obvious answers(except looking in the manual) were not correct in my case.

Chris

 

[KWentling]

It is on a 50amp break and is just inside my garage door. (10 feet maybe).
Anybody have a good recommendation?

The 50 amp breaker is the key here. That determines the wire size. Not what the welder requires to run. The wire must be protected, and the welder does not do that in the case of a short.

Kim

 

[dynasim]

http://www.hobartwelders.com/om/6digit/o228187b_hob.pdf

I have attached the HH187 manual showing the power supply requirements. They are on page 18.

They require a 14 awg power cord(max 67 ft long) with a 25 or 30 amp breaker(depending on type). Before I had found the table, I was leaning to something significantly more massive than required. I am using a 50 ft 12 awg cord.

My supply cord on my cell phone charger is significantly smaller than the 12 AWG required for a 20 amp breaker(which it is commonly plugged in).

I don't know what the rules are, but the rules for extension cords are not the same as those for in-wall wiring, and welders have a subset of those rules because of the inrush current issue.

Chris

 

[patrick_g]

It's also duty cycle. If the duty cycle is low it will allow time for the wire to cool down.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion but lets not suggest the OP violate the NEC.

If you are feeding a circuit with a 50 amp breaker the wire needs to be sized for at least 50 amps and within reasonable limits bigger wire is better (no more than a few gauges bigger.) Otherwise the wire will burn up and set the house on fire before the breaker gets close to tripping.

Pat

 

[dynasim]

Is Hobart suggesting we violate the NEC?

Chris

 

[Jeepnford]

I've seen welding extension cords ready to go at Tractor Supply I believe. There is also a store called Orscheln that has them but they are only in Missouri and Iowa. They were cheaper than making one up too.